11 Reasons Brits Should Choose Royal Caribbean For Cruises This Year

This is a sponsored post for Cruise118.com

There’s a reason why Royal Caribbean is one of the biggest cruise lines in the world. Actually, there are many reasons.

And while the cruise line definitely has global appeal, a lot of those reasons are particularly good for the British cruise market.

So let’s take a look at why you should consider Royal Caribbean for your next cruise – including some new changes and some long-established values that make Royal Caribbean’s sailings just so fun!

1. Brand new ships like Legend of the Seas

Royal Caribbean is constantly innovating, and the launch of Legend of the Seas in 2025 proves that there’s no slowing down.

This new addition to the Icon Class builds on the massive success of Icon and Star of the Seas while introducing fresh updates designed to wow families and couples alike. Not only that – it’s sailing in Europe for its maiden season! We finally get an Icon-class ship on this side of the Atlantic!

Legend of the Seas will feature the incredible Surfside neighbourhood to cater to families with children of all ages, along with exciting new dining venues and enhanced onboard entertainment like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!

Add in gravity-defying attractions like a six-slide waterpark and obstacle courses, and you’ve got a ship that’s guaranteed to impress. If you want to experience the cutting edge of cruise design, Legend of the Seas should be at the top of your list.

2. Great ships sailing locally, like Liberty of the Seas

For British cruisers who prefer to skip the hassle of flying, Royal Caribbean has you covered. In summer 2026, Liberty of the Seas will be sailing from Southampton.

We’ve had sister ship Independence of the Seas sailing from Southampton before, and Liberty of the Seas is newly refurbished for the 2026 season, so she’s going to be packed with amazing new features (and she’ll look beautiful too!)

This makes it easier than ever to hop aboard a world-class ship without needing to travel far.

And with features like the FlowRider surf simulator, West End-calibre entertainment, and a variety of dining options, you’ll be spoiled for choice before you’ve even left UK waters.

This ship tour of Independence of the Seas will give you an idea of what to expect on Liberty:

With her combination of thrills and spills, and the best of more traditional cruising experiences, she’s sure to be just as popular with Brits as Independence was. All the more reason to cruise on her this summer before she leaves Southampton !

3. Renovated ships offering incredible features

I just touched on it with Liberty of the Seas, but several ships are getting some excellent upgrades in 2026.

Royal Caribbean is continuing its ambitious Royal Amplified programme, with major upgrades coming to Liberty of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Ovation of the Seas. These refurbishments go far beyond cosmetic updates, introducing brand-new dining venues, reimagined pool decks, expanded casinos, and exciting new entertainment spaces.

Across all three ships, guests can expect popular additions like El Loco Fresh, The Lime & Coconut, Izumi Teppanyaki, and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, alongside refreshed Caribbean-style pool areas with private cabanas and new waterslide experiences. Nightlife is also getting a boost, with expanded Casino Royale venues and new live-music and late-night entertainment spaces such as Sound Cellar.

Each ship has its own focus too. Liberty of the Seas gains a Royal Escape Room and a fully refreshed pool deck for its European sailings from Southampton.

Harmony of the Seas debuts multiple new restaurants and a dramatically enhanced pool and casino area before moving from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. Ovation of the Seas sees a major nightlife overhaul and pool deck revamp ahead of its popular Alaska itineraries.

With sailings across Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, and beyond, these newly amplified ships offer British cruisers the chance to experience Royal Caribbean’s newest features without waiting for a brand-new ship launch.

4. New destinations, including Royal Beach Club

Royal Caribbean opened its first-ever Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, in December 2025.

This exclusive, all-inclusive destination offers an elevated beach day experience with stunning views, swim-up bars, and activities designed to suit all preferences.

Highlights include The Floating Flamingo, the world’s largest swim-up bar, and Ultimate Family Cabanas with private slides and concierge service.

While it’s a paid excursion with limited availability, Royal Beach Club has already proven to be a game-changer for cruisers seeking a more luxurious and exclusive way to experience the Bahamas. And that’s early days – it’s going to get even better!

5. Feature-packed ships across the fleet

One of Royal Caribbean’s biggest draws is the sheer variety of activities onboard its ships.

Whether you’re cruising on a smaller ship or one of their massive Oasis- or Icon-class vessels, you’ll find plenty to do.

Highlights include the iconic FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing walls, zip lines, ice skating rinks, and even Broadway-style shows like Hairspray and Mamma Mia!

There’s truly something for everyone, whether you’re seeking thrills or simply want to relax with top-tier entertainment.

6. An incredible range of dining options

Foodies and families alike will love the diverse dining experiences onboard Royal Caribbean ships.

From classic main dining rooms and international buffets to specialty restaurants like Jamie’s Italian and Wonderland, there’s something for every palate.

Families with picky eaters will appreciate the wide variety of cuisines, and with some venues included in the cruise fare, you can enjoy delicious meals without breaking the bank.

For those willing to splurge, specialty dining options add an extra layer of indulgence to your cruise experience.

7. A real focus on families

Royal Caribbean is known for being family-friendly, and its ships reflect this commitment with a host of dedicated spaces and activities for kids and teens.

From splash parks and water slides to Adventure Ocean kids’ clubs and teen lounges, there’s no shortage of fun.

Parents can relax knowing their kids are entertained and supervised, and with family-friendly stateroom options, Royal Caribbean makes cruising with children a breeze.

Of course, the cruise line isn’t just for families – many couples enjoy the cruise lines too. It’s a cliché, but there’s something for everyone onboard.

8. Amazing destination choices

Royal Caribbean’s itineraries cover the globe, offering options for every kind of traveller.

As well as five ships offering sailings in Europe, you also have a huge range of options should you wish to sail from the US, including the Bahamas, Alaska, Hawaii and more.

In 2026, some more exciting homeport options include Anthem of the Seas sailing from Australia, Ovation and Navigator of the Seas sailing from Singapore, and several ships sailing around South America too.

This variety opens up incredible opportunities for Brits to explore far-flung destinations like the Caribbean, South Pacific, and beyond.

And as well as the new Royal Beach Club, the cruise line also has Perfect Day at CocoCay, offering a wealth of exciting activities in a relaxed, tropical paradise.

Whether you’re after sandy beaches or bustling cities, Royal Caribbean’s diverse itineraries have you covered.

9. A range of cruise lengths

Not everyone has the time or budget for a week-long cruise, and Royal Caribbean caters to all schedules with shorter options like weekend breaks or 3-night sailings.

These shorter cruises are ideal for first-timers, families, or anyone wanting a quick getaway packed with activities.

For those seeking longer adventures, Royal Caribbean offers itineraries that stretch from 7 nights to multi-week transatlantic crossings, ensuring there’s a cruise length to suit everyone.

10. A game-changing loyalty upgrade

In 2026, Royal Caribbean Group is launching Points Choice, a new loyalty system that allows guests to earn points across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea and choose where those points are applied.

Rather than locking loyalty to a single brand, cruisers can now direct their points to the programme that suits them best, making it easier to reach higher status levels even if they sail with different brands. Points continue to be earned based on nights sailed and stateroom type, rather than onboard spending, a move many cruisers have welcomed.

For British travellers who like variety and flexibility, Points Choice makes Royal Caribbean Group an especially attractive option in 2026, rewarding loyalty without limiting choice.

11. The chance to book with genuine experts

With Royal Caribbean being such a popular cruise line, it’s also one that travel agents are extremely familiar with. This means they know the ships inside-out and can put together the perfect package for you.

You don’t need to worry about finding the best stateroom or a ship, or how to get the very best cruise to fit your budget.

The cruise specialists at Cruise118.com can take you through that whole process, answering any questions you have and making sure you get the complete deal, with any flights, transfers or parking that you might need.

Prefer to just book online? The Cruise118.com website lets you, and it makes it easy too. And you don’t have to pay a premium for their specialist knowledge as Cruise118.com offers a Best Price Guarantee as well.

Final word

Royal Caribbean has long been a favourite for British cruisers, and with so many exciting ships, destinations, and features to look forward to, 2026 is shaping up to be a standout year for the cruise line.

Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or planning your first voyage, there’s never been a better time to set sail with Royal Caribbean – so get in touch with Cruise118.com now to secure your booking with a great deal!

Related posts